NASCAR '14 News Post

NASCAR '14 Available Now - Post Your Impressions

07:49 AM - February 18, 2014 by Aggies7

NASCAR '14 is available today for both Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, check out the launch trailer here. Post your impressions after you get a few laps in.

A few reviews have been spotted online, we'll add to the list as they become available.

Gamesradar (3.5/5)
ApexTimes (6.5/10)
Terminal Gamer (8.5/10)

Game: NASCAR '14Reader Score: 5.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 3 - View All

NASCAR '14 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 Steve_OS @ 02/18/14 01:12 PM

Here are a couple of reviews.

Gamesradar (3.5/5)

ApexTimes (6.5/10)

# 2 bluengold34_OS @ 02/18/14 02:13 PM

Obviously I am working on the review - but I wanted to throw these quick nuggets out for those that are interested -

- Gone are the days of choosing Easy/Medium/Hard for opponent difficulty.You can now choose difficulty in increments of 5% points at each track.

- Car handling is much different than in '13, and I for one really like it

- AI is better, but still some issues there - but def better than last year(so far at least)

# 3 Stormyhog @ 02/18/14 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS


	Obviously I am working on the review - but I wanted to throw these quick nuggets out for those that are interested - - Gone are the days of choosing Easy/Medium/Hard for opponent difficulty.You can now choose difficulty in increments of 5% points at each track. - Car handling is much different than in '13, and I for one really like it - AI is better, but still some issues there - but def better than last year(so far at least)

Can you change the percentage of fuel and tire wear when doing short races like for 10 laps. I would like to be able to pit at least once or do you need to play longer laps for that to happen. Thanks.

# 4 TCrouch @ 02/18/14 03:13 PM

You've always been able to change those...can't imagine they changed that. Last year they changed fuel and tire wear independently, too. So you could set fuel to 4x and tire to 1x wear and still have to pit on a 10% race without the car falling off a cliff performance wise. Their tire management between human and CPU drivers has always been horrendous.

# 5 Stormyhog @ 02/18/14 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCrouch


	You've always been able to change those...can't imagine they changed that. Last year they changed fuel and tire wear independently, too. So you could set fuel to 4x and tire to 1x wear and still have to pit on a 10% race without the car falling off a cliff performance wise. Their tire management between human and CPU drivers has always been horrendous.

Yeah I remember in the first game you had to do longer races in quick race to pit. Last game I was glad they fixed that but whenever a new game comes out I like to know if things were changed. The reason I ask is I like to play short laps but want to be able to pit to add more fuel and change tires. Thx for the response.

# 6 bluengold34_OS @ 02/18/14 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormyhog


	Can you change the percentage of fuel and tire wear when doing short races like for 10 laps. I would like to be able to pit at least once or do you need to play longer laps for that to happen. Thanks.

Well if you do a 2% race at Marty - you cannot set fuel and tire wear high enough(only goes to X4 for each) to accomplish that, but at 5% races it looks like it might be needed this year - but haven't tested it - .

# 7 TCrouch @ 02/18/14 03:25 PM

Minimum length for stops is 10% race length. Anything less, 4x wear/fuel use won't help.

But something that bugged me to no end last year--even if I set it to 4x wear and the CPU could make it 50% of a race distance when set to 10%, they'd short-pit it by a lap or two and make it a two-stop race. That's ridiculous.

Then, there was the inevitable instances where 1 or 2 cars would inexplicably NEVER pit, leading to a win by a large margin. So many head scratching instances in the previous games, which still occurred on PC as recently as last month when I ran it some more.

# 8 [Icy] @ 02/18/14 03:26 PM

Looking forward for the review, i know it won't be what i get in Iracing, but hope it's more or less "sim" with a decent AI for when i want to play offline.

# 9 brandon27 @ 02/18/14 03:31 PM

I ran two quick races over my lunch break. One at Michigan, one at Vegas, with the stock "setups" the game provides. Here's some impressions from me:

- AI seemed better to race with. I didn't notice any issues with brake checking etc. while in the pack at Michigan.

- As mentioned earlier, player handling is different. I like the feel better as well.

- If you played the last version of this title, this one will look almost identical in the menu's and such aside from some color changes etc. It's eerily similar which I guess has become the norm for most sports titles.

- The visuals/graphics to me... seem like theyve been downgraded. I was playing NTGIL a few nights ago, and it looked great on my TV using the picture settings I normally watch TV with. I play most other games that way as well. This one... looked awful. Just awful, the colors were bad, things were blurry. So, I flipped my tv over to "game mode" and it looked better, much better, but still nowhere near as nice as the previous version did. To say I'm disappointed in that, would be a big understatement. One of the thigns that made even the poor previous versions of this title enjoyable to me were the visuals, now, not so much. Using a 60" Samsung LED here... I'm going to try the game out on my 52" plasma later tonight and see if its the TV, but I'm doubting that, because like I said, I was playing NTGIL the other night and it looked fantastic. Something is going on here...

- Didn't get a chance to dig into career, season, or anything like that though. Just had time for two quickies at Michigan and Vegas, the racing seemed improved.

- That being said... I didn't use any tire wear either, not enough time to really play with it, so I'm not sure how the AI handles pitting etc. etc.

- I found it extremely hard to trigger a caution though. I could get AI cars loose by hitting them if I wanted to, but they'd typically just slide around, hit the wall, and keep going with no caution, or complete spin, just this weird almost like side to side slide until it hit the wall. Disappointed a bit there, but... hard to judge based on two quick races.

Those are some initial thoughts of mine.. .

# 10 bigdoc85 @ 02/18/14 04:12 PM

Good points --Here are my initial observations after 1 quick race at Daytona:

1. I do agree that visuals seem to be a downgrade - that was disappointing.

2. I put the AI at 35% and the AI pretty much ran as a pack the entire race.

3. I do agree that the feel is a bit better and maybe easier to control the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon27


	I ran two quick races over my lunch break. One at Michigan, one at Vegas, with the stock "setups" the game provides. Here's some impressions from me: - AI seemed better to race with. I didn't notice any issues with brake checking etc. while in the pack at Michigan. - As mentioned earlier, player handling is different. I like the feel better as well. - If you played the last version of this title, this one will look almost identical in the menu's and such aside from some color changes etc. It's eerily similar which I guess has become the norm for most sports titles. - The visuals/graphics to me... seem like theyve been downgraded. I was playing NTGIL a few nights ago, and it looked great on my TV using the picture settings I normally watch TV with. I play most other games that way as well. This one... looked awful. Just awful, the colors were bad, things were blurry. So, I flipped my tv over to "game mode" and it looked better, much better, but still nowhere near as nice as the previous version did. To say I'm disappointed in that, would be a big understatement. One of the thigns that made even the poor previous versions of this title enjoyable to me were the visuals, now, not so much. Using a 60" Samsung LED here... I'm going to try the game out on my 52" plasma later tonight and see if its the TV, but I'm doubting that, because like I said, I was playing NTGIL the other night and it looked fantastic. Something is going on here... - Didn't get a chance to dig into career, season, or anything like that though. Just had time for two quickies at Michigan and Vegas, the racing seemed improved. - That being said... I didn't use any tire wear either, not enough time to really play with it, so I'm not sure how the AI handles pitting etc. etc. - I found it extremely hard to trigger a caution though. I could get AI cars loose by hitting them if I wanted to, but they'd typically just slide around, hit the wall, and keep going with no caution, or complete spin, just this weird almost like side to side slide until it hit the wall. Disappointed a bit there, but... hard to judge based on two quick races. Those are some initial thoughts of mine.. .

# 11 Lieutenant Dan @ 02/18/14 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon27


	- The visuals/graphics to me... seem like theyve been downgraded. I was playing NTGIL a few nights ago, and it looked great on my TV using the picture settings I normally watch TV with. I play most other games that way as well. This one... looked awful. Just awful, the colors were bad, things were blurry. So, I flipped my tv over to "game mode" and it looked better, much better, but still nowhere near as nice as the previous version did. To say I'm disappointed in that, would be a big understatement. One of the thigns that made even the poor previous versions of this title enjoyable to me were the visuals, now, not so much. Using a 60" Samsung LED here... I'm going to try the game out on my 52" plasma later tonight and see if its the TV, but I'm doubting that, because like I said, I was playing NTGIL the other night and it looked fantastic. Something is going on here...

Speculation of course, but my guess is they might have subtracted some graphical assets to free up RAM space for the AI, or math needed elsewhere.

I'm holding for Bob's review before I lift a finger to even think about buying again this year.

I need to hear more about complete races with AI pitting...the concerns that Terry posted about.

I know Ed already said the paint shop was pretty much the same but would like to hear if there are some new sponsors we can use?

We need to know about online racing and the bubble effect...in particular if Terry or I would take each other out without trying again like on Inside Line lol.

So far it's really sounding like IL 2.0, but like I said, Bob's review and some thorough testing by him and other trusted OS racers here will be appreciated.

# 12 cusefan74 @ 02/18/14 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Dan


	Speculation of course, but my guess is they might have subtracted some graphical assets to free up RAM space for the AI, or math needed elsewhere. I'm holding for Bob's review before I lift a finger to even think about buying again this year. I need to hear more about complete races with AI pitting...the concerns that Terry posted about. I know Ed already said the paint shop was pretty much the same but would like to hear if there are some new sponsors we can use? We need to know about online racing and the bubble effect...in particular if Terry or I would take each other out without trying again like on Inside Line lol. So far it's really sounding like IL 2.0, but like I said, Bob's review and some thorough testing by him and other trusted OS racers here will be appreciated.

I don't have the game but someone I know does and he said the bubble effect was still there but that it was less then the last game. He said it doesn't seem as near as bad as before.

# 13 brandon27 @ 02/18/14 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdoc85


	Good points --Here are my initial observations after 1 quick race at Daytona: 1. I do agree that visuals seem to be a downgrade - that was disappointing. 2. I put the AI at 35% and the AI pretty much ran as a pack the entire race. 3. I do agree that the feel is a bit better and maybe easier to control the car.

I'm glad it's not just me that thought that then. The tv I was playing on today, I've only had for a few weeks now, so I thought maybe Im just not used to the switch from Plasma to LED in that room yet etc. etc. Im still going to run a race on the plasma I used to play on later tonight and see, but hearing it from someone else too at least makes me feel a bit better it's not just me, or my eyes in my old age!

I don't want to get others upset who dont have it, It's not that the game looks bad, because it still looks good. It just feels like its been downgraded. The menu's look almost a bit blurry in spots with some of the wording, the cars the same at times, lots of jaggies around alot of edges. Stuff that I typically don't notice, or care about, really jumped out at me this afternoon. Normally others complain about it, I read it here, but rarely ever notice or care at home.

That being said, there were also several times I was running from the in car, or roof cam, with wide open track in front of me, and it still does look really good for the most part.

I forgot to mention too, I ran two laps at Daytona too under testing mode. Felt good. Looked ok too.

Also want to mention, I was using a controller today too, felt I had no major issues at all controlling the car, or holding my line through the turns at Daytona. That's a huge plus for me, and any of you casual racers out there that may not have a wheel, or want to invest in one.

# 14 bluengold34_OS @ 02/18/14 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Dan


	Speculation of course, but my guess is they might have subtracted some graphical assets to free up RAM space for the AI, or math needed elsewhere. I'm holding for Bob's review before I lift a finger to even think about buying again this year. I need to hear more about complete races with AI pitting...the concerns that Terry posted about. I know Ed already said the paint shop was pretty much the same but would like to hear if there are some new sponsors we can use? We need to know about online racing and the bubble effect...in particular if Terry or I would take each other out without trying again like on Inside Line lol. So far it's really sounding like IL 2.0, but like I said, Bob's review and some thorough testing by him and other trusted OS racers here will be appreciated.

Well Dan - due to bad weather I just got the game in the mail this morning. I am playing both the PS3 and PC version and running short to long runs, and testing the AI on 50% difficulty up to 75/80% so far. They run so much better at the 75/80 mark than the default 50. Testing career right now, and will be testing online tonight hopefully - goals is to have the review done tomorrow, and possibly live tomorrow also -

# 15 RunN1st @ 02/18/14 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS


	Well Dan - due to bad weather I just got the game in the mail this morning. I am playing both the PS3 and PC version and running short to long runs, and testing the AI on 50% difficulty up to 75/80% so far. They run so much better at the 75/80 mark than the default 50. Testing career right now, and will be testing online tonight hopefully - goals is to have the review done tomorrow, and possibly live tomorrow also -

Bob, I can help you test out the online performance and functionality tonight. (PC version)

# 16 TCrouch @ 02/18/14 05:24 PM

Same--I tried a quick race at Daytona set to 95%, and they ran off at the start of the race when I started from the rear of the field

Restarted after qualifying and struggled to start 20th on the grid, and worked my way up to the lead before getting careless and wrecking out while FOUR WIDE. They did a better job of getting a run on you.

But by the time I got to actual racing, it was way late in my lunch. Controls were wonky at first (but at least I can use my TX Wheel on PC now instead of having to use the keyboard to navigate the UI, and the separate shifter works instead of one overwriting the other like before).

I'll dive into it tonight and would be up for some quick sprint style races to test the various tracks and whatnot.

# 17 bluengold34_OS @ 02/18/14 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunN1st


	Bob, I can help you test out the online performance and functionality tonight. (PC version)

Sure Run -

# 18 BurghFan @ 02/18/14 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS


	Obviously I am working on the review - but I wanted to throw these quick nuggets out for those that are interested - - Gone are the days of choosing Easy/Medium/Hard for opponent difficulty.You can now choose difficulty in increments of 5% points at each track. - Car handling is much different than in '13, and I for one really like it - AI is better, but still some issues there - but def better than last year(so far at least)

Ah, that's reminiscent of the old Papyrus NR2K3 days (and I'm guessing other Papy PC titles as well as I really only playe 2K3). I like this though as it seemed that the difference between medium and hard difficulties was astronomical at times last year to the point where I would struggle mightily on hard but dominate on medium. Here's my question though. Will the game remember your difficulty setting for each track or will you have to set it each time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCrouch


	Minimum length for stops is 10% race length. Anything less, 4x wear/fuel use won't help. But something that bugged me to no end last year--even if I set it to 4x wear and the CPU could make it 50% of a race distance when set to 10%, they'd short-pit it by a lap or two and make it a two-stop race. That's ridiculous. Then, there was the inevitable instances where 1 or 2 cars would inexplicably NEVER pit, leading to a win by a large margin. So many head scratching instances in the previous games, which still occurred on PC as recently as last month when I ran it some more.

Yeah, that was a real gear grinder for NTGIL. It seemed especially prevalent at the Coke Zero 400 when running 20% race (32 laps). I and most of the rest of the field would have to pit around lap 20 while almost every time someone would manage to go all 32 laps without pitting.

I'm planning on picking this up for PS3 on Friday.

# 19 j2thec @ 02/18/14 06:41 PM

picked up this game, not expecting a whole lot but I am actually surprised.

The cars handle much better, the AI isn't as stupid and I found that the difficulty settings are a little better. Though I will say I was blasting the field pretty good until about 90% or so with the default setups.

The big problems I see are the fact that you sometimes have weird problems when a caution comes out. For instance I ran a race at Vegas, caution came out and for some reason an AI car stopped well ahead of the wreck and everyone just piled into him. Its happened on the older versions of this game and I find it really annoying.

The AI doesn't wreck very easy either. I rammed some of them pretty hard and they would just slip up and keep going. I couldn't get one to spin out or anything like that, as someone in this thread had previously stated.

I think its an improvement but if your looking to do a season/career type thing its probably best to stick with an updated n2k3, as it still has the best AI on the market.

# 20 brandon27 @ 02/18/14 08:25 PM

I've got to say... I just ran a 26 lap race at Vegas, no wear, no setups or anything like that, I qualified on the pole, but had a hard time keeping the lead. I lead 10 of the 26 laps, the AI was racey as all hell! It was a ton of fun. I noticed no brake checking at all, I was pretty much racing in the top 10 the whole time though. I found the AI to be pretty aggressive too, although it could have just been me not paying attention to my surroundings sometimes too.

Anyways, I ended up having a green/white checkers finish. I restarted in 6th, the car in front of me spun its tires on the restart (which tends to happen alot), so I easily snuck inside him, then picked up another spot in turn 1 pretty easily. I was sitting in 3rd as I took the white flag, picked up 2nd place coming off of turn 2, then I dove underneath Ambrose going into 3, we rubbed in the middle of 3 and 4, i got a good run off 4 and had the lead and then all of a sudden im getting nailed by Stewart from the side just out of 4, had a photo finish at the line, side by side. I had no idea who won until it came up on the screen that it was me, driving the 99 of Edwards (puke).

That's some of the most fun I've ever had in this series racing.

Check out these pics! (sorry for the crappy quality, cell phone pic, off my tv screen!, Just had to share this awesome experience)

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